JP2004077888A

JP2004077888A - Electrical wire cable and optical cable

Info

Publication number: JP2004077888A
Application number: JP2002239263A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masahiro Hayashi; 林　正博; Toshio Kondo; 近藤　敏夫
Original assignee: Daiden Co Inc
Current assignee: Daiden Co Inc
Priority date: 2002-08-20
Filing date: 2002-08-20
Publication date: 2004-03-11

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrical wire cable and an optical cable in which a clad is easily torn with hands and external exposure is allowed without damaging cores and optical fiber wires. <P>SOLUTION: A tearing section 41 which has low strength and is easily torn is interposed in part of the clad 40. The tearing section 41 is torn with a tearing string 30 to easily tear the clad 40, exposing the optical fiber wires 20. Reliability is increased by: promptly efficiently going ahead connecting work with well efficiently exposing the optical fibers wires 20; coming no tool close to the optical fiber wires 20 by tearing the clad 40; damaging no optical fiber wires 20; and assuring fiber strength after installation to prevent disconnection after the installation caused by flaws or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、電線・ケーブル、及び光通信用機器間配線に用いられる複数心の光ケーブルに関し、特に、各機器への接続の際の被覆除去作業（心線取出し作業）が容易で取扱い性に優れる電線・ケーブル、及び光ケーブルに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
電力供給や情報通信に用いられる電線やケーブルは、一般に一又は複数本の心線を樹脂材等で一括被覆を施した構造となっている。この電線やケーブルを各種機器に接続したり、接続用のコネクタを取付けたりする場合、端部で被覆を除去し、内部の心線を露出させる必要がある。
【０００３】
また、近年、高速・広帯域の通信サービスが拡大しつつあるが、こうした通信サービスにおける情報伝達の主役を担う光ケーブルは、一般に一又は複数本の光ファイバ線とテンションメンバを並列配置し、樹脂材等で一括被覆を施した構造となっている。この光ケーブルを通信用機器に接続したり、接続用のコネクタを取付けたりする場合、ケーブル端部で被覆を除去し、内部の光ファイバ線を露出させる必要がある。
【０００４】
従来、光ファイバ線を露出させるためには、光ケーブルの端部から所定長さの位置まで刃物等の工具を用いて被覆を切断し、切断して広げた被覆を切離す方法が一般に用いられていた。この場合、工具を使用して被覆を長手方向に切裂くために、誤って工具が光ファイバ線まで達すると光ファイバ線が傷付いてしまうという問題があった。このため、光ケーブルの被覆を切裂く際には、工具によって光ファイバ線を傷付けないよう細心の注意を払いながらの作業となり、作業性があまりよくなかった。
【０００５】
近年、光ファイバ線を容易に露出させることのできる光ケーブルとして、高強度の合成繊維等からなる引き裂き紐を光ファイバ線に沿わせ、その外周に被覆を形成した引き裂き紐付きの光ケーブルが提案されている。このような引き裂き紐付きの光ケーブルは、引き裂き紐を光ケーブルの末端から光ケーブル外方へ離れる方向に引張って被覆を引き裂くことにより、傷付ける危険もなく光ファイバ線を露出させられる仕組みである。
【０００６】
また、光ファイバ線を容易に露出させることのできる他の光ケーブルとして、被覆外面で長手方向に連続する複数個の切裂き用溝を設けたものも近年提案されている。こうした切裂き用溝付きの光ケーブルで内部の光ファイバ線を取り出す際は、ケーブル端部で切裂き用溝位置を中心に被覆を開くと、切裂き用溝先端と光ファイバ線との間での切裂きが進行し、被覆が外れて光ファイバ線を露出させられることとなる。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の光ケーブルは以上のように構成されていたことから、従来前者の引裂き紐を設けている場合、被覆の材質によっては、被覆の耐引裂き性により容易には引裂きが行えず、引裂き紐に大きな引張り力を加える必要があり、作業性があまり改善されないという課題を有していた。
【０００８】
一方、従来後者の光ケーブルでは、切裂き用溝の被覆内部方向への深さを深くすると溝成形時に被覆内部の光ファイバ線に傷を付ける危険性があるため、溝深さが比較的浅くなっており、被覆を手で引裂く際に大きな力を加える必要があったり、手の力のみでは引裂けず、溝にカッターなどの刃物を挿入して長手方向に一旦切り込みを入れた上で引裂かなければならない状況もあった。このため、あまり作業性の改善につながらないばかりでなく、刃物で溝部分に切り込みを入れる際に、内部の光ファイバ線を傷付ける危険性もあるという課題を有していた。
【０００９】
また、従来の電線・ケーブルにおいて、被覆は容易に破断、剥離せず、引裂きにくい丈夫な材質となっており、引張り強度や耐引裂き性が高いために人の手で容易に引裂きが行えず、被覆を除去する場合には工具の使用が必須となり、作業能率が良くない上、誤って工具が心線の導体まで達し、導体を傷付ける危険性もあるという課題を有していた。
【００１０】
本発明は前記課題を解消するためになされたもので、被覆を手で容易に引き裂くことができ、心線や光ファイバ線を傷付けることなく外部に露出させられる電線・ケーブル及び光ケーブルを提供することを目的とする。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係る電線・ケーブルは、一又は複数の心線が絶縁材の被覆で覆われつつ一体化されてなる電線・ケーブルにおいて、前記被覆に覆われつつ前記心線と並行させて配設される引裂き紐を備え、前記被覆の前記引裂き紐の外側に位置する部分が、他部分より強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状とされ、前記引裂き紐の被覆外方への引出しで切裂かれる切裂き部とされてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、引裂き紐で切裂き部を切裂いて容易に被覆を引裂いて心線を露出させられることにより、能率良く心線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで心線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、導体を傷付けずに済み、設置後の導体強度を確保して断線を防げる上、異常発熱等の電気的トラブルや損失増加等の電気特性異常も防止でき、信頼性を高められる。
【００１２】
また、本発明に係る電線・ケーブルは必要に応じて、前記被覆の切裂き部が、被覆の他部分と同じ材料を他部分と同様に被覆成形された後に、切裂き部該当部位のみ所定の二次加工を施されて強度的に劣る状態に変化させられてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆の切裂き部を他部分と同じ材料として被覆成形後、二次加工で強度的に劣る状態に変化させて切裂き部として設定することにより、当初の電線・ケーブル製造が従来同様の製造設備で行えることとなり、切裂き部を設けることに伴う製造コスト上昇分を必要最小限に抑えられる。
【００１３】
また、本発明に係る電線・ケーブルは必要に応じて、前記被覆の切裂き部が、被覆の他部分と異なり且つ他部分より強度的に劣る性質を有する材料で形成されるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆における切裂き部を他部分と別材料で形成し、他部分に対して切裂き部の強度、すなわち切裂き容易性を自由に設定できることにより、他部分に対し確実に強度的に劣った切裂き容易な性質を切裂き部に与えられることとなり、適切な強度とした切裂き部を引裂き紐で容易に切裂くことができ、心線を露出させる作業が速やかに行える。
【００１４】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは、複数の光ファイバ線が絶縁材の被覆で覆われつつ一体化されてなる光ケーブルにおいて、前記被覆に覆われつつ前記光ファイバ線と並行させて配設される引裂き紐を備え、前記被覆の前記引裂き紐の外側に位置する部分が、他部分より強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状とされ、前記引裂き紐の被覆外方への引出しで切裂かれる切裂き部とされてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、引裂き紐で切裂き部を切裂いて容易に被覆を引裂いて光ファイバ線を露出させられることにより、能率良く光ファイバ線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで光ファイバ線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、光ファイバ線を傷付けずに済み、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷などが原因で起る設置後の断線を防止でき、通信の信頼性を高められる。
【００１５】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは必要に応じて、前記被覆の切裂き部が、被覆の他部分と同じ材料を他部分と同様に被覆成形された後に、切裂き部該当部位のみ所定の二次加工を施されて強度的に劣る状態に変化させられてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆の切裂き部を他部分と同じ材料として被覆成形後、二次加工で強度的に劣る状態に変化させて切裂き部として設定することにより、当初のケーブル製造が従来同様の製造設備で行えることとなり、切裂き部を設けることに伴う製造コスト上昇分を必要最小限に抑えられる。
【００１６】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは必要に応じて、前記被覆の切裂き部が、被覆の他部分と異なり且つ他部分より強度的に劣る性質を有する材料で形成されるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆における切裂き部を他部分と別材料で形成し、他部分に対して切裂き部の強度、すなわち切裂き容易性を自由に設定できることにより、他部分に対し確実に強度的に劣った切裂き容易な性質を切裂き部に与えられることとなり、適切な強度とした切裂き部を引裂き紐で容易に切裂くことができ、光ファイバ線を露出させる作業が速やかに行える。
【００１７】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは必要に応じて、前記被覆の切裂き部が、被覆の他部分と異なる色に色分けされてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆における切裂き部を他部分とは別の色に色分けし、引裂き紐で被覆に対して力を加えて切裂く部分を視覚的に明確に示せることにより、誤って切裂き部以外の箇所に引裂き紐を向けることなく引裂き紐で切裂き部を確実に切裂いて容易に光ファイバ線を露出させることができ、作業能率がより一層向上する。
【００１８】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは必要に応じて、前記被覆の切裂き部が、前記二次加工を経て、他部分と同じ色から変色して他部分に対し識別可能な色となるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆における切裂き部を二次加工に伴い変色させて加工と同時に他部分とは別の色に色分けし、引裂き紐で被覆に対して力を加えて切裂く部分を視覚的に明確に示せることにより、誤って切裂き部以外の箇所に引裂き紐を向けることなく引裂き紐で切裂き部を確実に切裂いて容易に光ファイバ線を露出させることができ、作業能率がより一層向上すると共に、着色等の特別な加工を施さずに切裂き部を識別可能とすることができ、切裂き部の色分けをほとんどコストを上昇させることなしに実現できる。
【００１９】
また、本発明に係る電線・ケーブルは、一又は複数の心線が絶縁材の被覆で覆われつつ一体化されてなる電線・ケーブルにおいて、前記被覆が、前記心線に面する内面に長手方向へ連続する一又は複数の切裂き用溝を与えられるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆内面側に切裂き用溝を配設し、溝深さ方向を内面から外方に向けることにより、溝深さを深く設定しても製造時に心線への悪影響がなく、溝深さを深くして溝位置の被覆を薄くし、確実に手で被覆を引裂けるようにすることができ、切裂き用溝を起点に被覆を長手方向に引裂いて能率良く心線を露出させられ、心線接続作業を効率よく進められる。さらに、仮に手で引裂けず、刃物等の工具を用いて切裂き用溝位置の被覆を長手方向に切断する場合でも、切裂き用溝が被覆内面側に存在するため、溝位置の被覆と心線との間隔を空けて工具の心線への接触を防止でき、導体の傷付きを抑えられ、設置後の導体強度を確保して断線を防げる上、異常発熱等の電気的トラブルや損失増加等の電気特性異常も防止でき、信頼性を高められる。
【００２０】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは、複数の光ファイバ線が絶縁材の被覆で覆われつつ一体化されてなる光ケーブルにおいて、前記被覆が、前記光ファイバ線に面する内面に長手方向へ連続する一又は複数の切裂き用溝を与えられるものである。このように本発明においては、ケーブルの被覆内面側に切裂き用溝を配設し、溝深さ方向を内面から外方に向けることにより、溝深さを深く設定しても製造時に光ファイバ線への悪影響がなく、溝深さを深くして溝位置の被覆を薄くし、確実に手で被覆を引裂けるようにすることができ、切裂き用溝を起点に被覆を長手方向に引裂いて能率良く光ファイバ線を露出させられ、ケーブル接続作業を効率よく進められる。さらに、仮に手で引裂けず、刃物等の工具を用いて切裂き用溝位置の被覆を長手方向に切断する場合でも、切裂き用溝が被覆内面側に存在するため、溝位置の被覆と光ファイバ線との間隔を空けて工具の光ファイバ線への接触を防止でき、光ファイバ線の傷付きを抑えられ、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷が原因で起る設置後の断線を防ぎ、通信の信頼性を高められる。
【００２１】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは必要に応じて、前記被覆外面の前記切裂き用溝外方に位置する箇所が、被覆外面の他部分と異なる色に色分けされてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆における切裂き用溝外側部分を他部分と別の色に色分けし、被覆内面側に隠れる切裂き用溝の位置を視覚的に明確に示せることにより、工具使用時に、切裂き用溝位置に刃物等の工具を当てて被覆を長手方向に確実に切裂いて容易に光ファイバ線を露出させられ、誤って切裂き用溝以外の箇所に刃物等の工具を当てることを防止し、光ファイバ線を保護できると共に、作業能率をより一層向上させられる。
【００２２】
また、本発明に係る電線・ケーブルは、一又は複数の心線が絶縁材の被覆で覆われつつ一体化されてなる電線・ケーブルにおいて、前記被覆が、長手方向に連続する所定部分を切裂き部として他部分より強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状とされてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、切裂き部を起点に手で被覆を容易に引裂いて心線を露出させられることにより、能率良く心線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで心線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、導体を傷付けずに済み、設置後の導体強度を確保して断線を防げる上、異常発熱等の電気的トラブルや損失増加等の電気特性異常も防止でき、信頼性を高められる。
【００２３】
また、本発明に係る光ケーブルは、複数の光ファイバ線が絶縁材の被覆で覆われつつ一体化されてなる光ケーブルにおいて、前記被覆が、長手方向に連続する所定部分を切裂き部として他部分より強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状とされてなるものである。このように本発明においては、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、切裂き部を起点に手で被覆を容易に引裂いて光ファイバ線を露出させられることにより、能率良く光ファイバ線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで光ファイバ線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、光ファイバ線を傷付けずに済み、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷などが原因で起る設置後の断線を防止でき、通信の信頼性を高められる。
【００２４】
【発明の実施の形態】
（本発明の第１の実施形態）
以下、本発明の第１の実施形態を図１に基づいて説明する。本実施形態では光ケーブルの例について説明する。図１は本実施の形態に係る光ケーブルの断面図である。
【００２５】
前記図１において本実施形態に係る光ケーブル１は、高強度の線状体で形成されてケーブル全体に所定の剛性を与えるテンションメンバ１０と、信号伝送用の複数の光ファイバ線２０と、これらテンションメンバ１０及び光ファイバ線２０と並行させて配設される引裂き紐３０と、この引裂き紐３０ごと光ファイバ線２０を覆う被覆４０とを備える構成である。
【００２６】
前記光ファイバ線２０は、テンションメンバ１０を中心として複数本を同心円状に配置した状態で被覆４０内に収容される構成である。なお、本実施形態に係る光ケーブル１は光ファイバ線２０を同心円状に配置した丸型に限らず、テンションメンバ１０を中心に光ファイバ線２０を横に複数本並べて配置した平型に形成する構成とすることもできる。また、心数も８心に限らず、適宜必要とされる光ファイバ線２０をそれぞれ所定数用いる構成とすることもできる。
【００２７】
前記引裂き紐３０は、引張り強度に優れるアラミド繊維製の紐体で形成され、複数の光ファイバ線２０と共に被覆４０内に収容される構成である。なお、図１に示すように引裂き紐３０は光ファイバ線２０に密着して被覆４０から内側に完全に外れた状態で収容されているが、これに限らず、引裂き紐３０が被覆４０の層中に一部又は完全に食込んだ状態となっていてもかまわない。
【００２８】
前記被覆４０は、大部分を難燃性ポリエチレンやＰＶＣ等の絶縁材で形成されると共に、前記引裂き紐３０の外側に位置する部分を切裂き部４１として他部分と異なる材料で且つ他部分より軟質、脆いなど強度的に劣る性質を有するもので形成され、この強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部４１を引裂き紐３０の外方への引出しに伴って切裂かれる部分とする構成である。この被覆４０の主材料がＰＥの場合、切裂き部４１はＰＥ＋フィラ（充填材）、ＰＶＣ、ＰＶＣ＋フィラ、異重合度ＰＶＣの混合物、ＥＥＡ、ＥＥＡ＋フィラ、またはＥＶＡとなる。また、被覆４０の主材料がＰＶＣの場合、切裂き部４１はＰＶＣ＋フィラ、異重合度ＰＶＣの混合物、ＰＥ、ＰＥ＋フィラ、ＥＥＡ、ＥＥＡ＋フィラ、またはＥＶＡとなる。
【００２９】
次に、本実施形態に係る光ケーブルの被覆引裂き・心線露出工程について説明する。あらかじめケーブル端部は加工され、引裂き紐３０が所定長さ端部から露出した状態となっているものとする。まず、ケーブル端部に現れている引裂き紐３０を切裂き部４１がある位置で被覆４０外方へ離れる向きに引張り、被覆４０に一体化している切裂き部４１を引裂き紐３０で長手方向に切裂いていき、被覆４０を光ファイバ線２０が接続作業を十分行える長さ分露出するまで引裂いていく。引裂き紐３０を用いた被覆４０の引裂きにより、光ファイバ線２０に対して損傷などの悪影響はほとんどない。引裂かれた被覆４０を広げると、光ファイバ線２０を露出状態とすることができる。この後、広げた被覆４０を切離し、光ファイバ線２０と、他のケーブルにおける光ファイバ線やコネクタとの接続を行えば、作業完了となる。
【００３０】
このように、本実施形態に係る光ケーブルは、被覆４０上に強度的に劣る異種材料製の切裂き部４１を一体配設し、引裂き紐３０で切裂き部４１を切裂いて容易に被覆４０を引裂いて光ファイバ線２０を露出させられることから、能率良く光ファイバ線２０を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆４０の引裂きで光ファイバ線２０に対し工具が近接することもなく、光ファイバ線２０を傷付けずに済み、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷などが原因で起る設置後の断線を防止でき、通信の信頼性を高められる。
【００３１】
なお、前記実施形態に係る光ケーブルにおいては、被覆４０を切裂き部４１とそれ以外の部分とで材料を異ならせて一体形成する構成としているが、これに加えて、図２に示すように、被覆４０の切裂き部４１を他部分と色分けする構成とすることもでき、被覆４０における切裂き部４１位置の識別を容易に行うことができ、光ファイバ線２０取出し作業時に、引裂き紐３０で確実に切裂き部４１位置に力を加えて切裂くことができ、誤って被覆４０の他部分を引裂き紐３０で切裂こうとして余計な力を加えるといったこともなく、被覆４０の引裂きから心線取出しに至る作業を効率的に進められる。
【００３２】
また、前記実施形態に係る光ケーブルにおいて、被覆４０は切裂き部４１とそれ以外の部分とで材料を異ならせて形成される構成としているが、これに限らず、被覆４０を全て同じ材料で被覆成形後、切裂き部４１の箇所のみ、紫外線照射、加熱などの方法で強度的に劣る状態に二次加工して被覆４０の他部分より裂けやすい状態に変化させる構成とすることもでき、同一材料で形成できることで製造コストの高くなるような異種材料一体化の処置を行う必要もなく、コストダウンが図れる。なお、この場合の被覆４０の材料例としては、ＰＰ、またはＰＥなど、紫外線照射等で劣化しやすい材料が挙げられる。さらに、被覆４０の素材を適宜選択し、切裂き部４１を生成するための二次加工を経て、被覆４０の被加工部分（切裂き部４１）が元の色から変色して他部分から識別可能となる構成とすることもでき、切裂き部４１を視覚的に明確に示せることから、誤って切裂き部４１以外の箇所に引裂き紐３０を向けることなく引裂き紐３０で切裂き部４１を確実に切裂くことができ、作業能率がより一層向上すると共に、着色料添加等の特別な加工を施さずに切裂き部４１を識別可能とすることができる。
【００３３】
さらに、前記実施形態に係る光ケーブルにおいては、被覆４０内に引裂き紐３０を設ける構成としているが、これに限らず、引裂き紐を設けずに被覆４０の一部に前記同様の切裂き部４１を配設する構成とすることもでき、強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部４１を起点に手で被覆４０を容易に引裂いて光ファイバ線２０を露出させられることから、前記実施形態同様、光ファイバ線露出から接続に至る作業を速やかに効率よく進められると共に、工具等で光ファイバ線２０を傷付けずに済み、信頼性を向上させられる。
【００３４】
（本発明の第２の実施形態）
本発明の第２の実施形態を図３に基づいて説明する。本実施形態においても光ケーブルの例について説明する。図３は本実施の形態に係る光ケーブルの断面図である。
前記図３において本実施形態に係る光ケーブル１は、前記第１の実施形態同様、テンションメンバ１０と、光ファイバ線２０と、被覆４０とを備える一方、異なる点として、引裂き紐を設けず、被覆４０内面側に長手方向に連続する複数の切裂き用溝４２を配設する構成を有するものである。
【００３５】
前記被覆４０は、難燃性ポリエチレン等の絶縁材からなり、テンションメンバ１０及び光ファイバ線２０を覆った状態で内面の対称となる二箇所に切裂き用溝４２を形成される構成である。この被覆４０における二つの切裂き溝４２外側部位が、被覆４０を引裂いて分離する際の断裂部分となる。なお、被覆４０における切裂き溝４２は二つに限らず、切裂き溝４２が一つ、又は三つ以上被覆４０内面側に配設される構成としてもかまわない。
【００３６】
次に、本実施形態に係る光ケーブルの被覆引裂き・心線露出工程について説明する。まず、ケーブルの被覆４０端部を切裂き用溝４２を中心として互いに離れる向きに引張り、切裂き用溝４２外側部位で被覆４０を切裂きながら被覆４０を光ファイバ線２０が接続作業を十分行える長さ分露出するまで二つに引裂いていく。手の力のみで被覆４０の切裂き用溝４２位置で切り裂きが進行していくことにより、光ファイバ線２０に対して損傷などの悪影響はほとんどない。被覆４０を引裂いて被覆４０と光ファイバ線２０とを十分接続作業が行える長さにわたって分離したら、分離した被覆４０を切離し、露出状態になった光ファイバ線２０と、他のケーブルにおける光ファイバ線やコネクタとの接続を行えば、作業完了となる。
【００３７】
何らかの事情で被覆４０の長手方向への引裂きにカッター等の工具を用いる場合にも、切裂き用溝４２が被覆４０内面側に存在して最外周に被覆４０が位置し、被覆４０と光ファイバ線２０との距離が確保されており、工具で切裂き用溝４２外側の被覆４０を切断しても光ファイバ線２０と工具との接触が防がれ、光ファイバ線２０に損傷を与えずに被覆４０を長手方向に切断して光ファイバ線２０を露出させられる。
【００３８】
このように、本実施形態に係る光ケーブルは、被覆４０内面側に切裂き用溝４２を配設し、溝深さ方向を内面から外方に向けることから、溝深さを深く設定しても製造時に光ファイバ線２０への悪影響はなく、溝深さを深くして溝位置の被覆を薄くし、確実に手で被覆４０を引裂けるようにすることができ、切裂き用溝４２を起点に被覆４０を長手方向に引裂いて能率良く光ファイバ線２０を露出させられ、ケーブル接続作業を効率よく進められる。また、仮に手で引裂けず、刃物等の工具を用いて切裂き用溝４２位置の被覆４０を長手方向に切断する場合でも、切裂き用溝４２が被覆４０内面側に存在するため、溝位置の被覆４０と光ファイバ線２０との間隔を空けて工具の光ファイバ線２０への接触を防止でき、光ファイバ線２０の傷付きを抑えられ、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷が原因で起る設置後の断線を防ぎ、通信の信頼性を高められる。
【００３９】
なお、前記実施形態に係る光ケーブルにおいて、被覆４０内面側に切裂き用溝４２を配設する以外、被覆４０は一般的な外観を有する構成としているが、これに加えて、図４に示すように、被覆４０における切裂き用溝４２のちょうど外側部位を他部分と色分けする構成とすることもでき、被覆４０における切裂き用溝４２位置の識別を容易に行うことができ、被覆４０引裂き作業で刃物等の工具を用いる場合に、切裂き用溝４２位置に工具を当てて被覆４０を長手方向に確実に切裂いて容易に光ファイバ線２０を露出させられ、誤って切裂き用溝４２以外の箇所に刃物等の工具を当てることを防止し、光ファイバ線２０を保護できると共に、被覆４０の引裂きから心線取出しに至る作業を効率的に進められる。
【００４０】
さらに、前記第１及び第２の各実施形態では、光ケーブルへの適用例について説明しているが、光ケーブルに限らず、光ファイバ線２０の代りに導体心線を用いた電線やケーブルに適用してもかまわない。こうした電線・ケーブルにおいて、心線と並行させて引裂き紐を配設し、その外側の被覆に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設した場合、引裂き紐で切裂き部を切裂いて容易に被覆を引裂いて心線を露出させられることから、能率良く心線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められる。また、被覆内面側に切裂き用溝を配設した場合、溝部分の被覆を薄くして確実に手で被覆を引裂けるようにすることができ、切裂き用溝を起点に被覆を長手方向に引裂いて能率良く心線を露出させられる。そして、前記いずれの場合も、心線を傷付けることがないため、設置後の導体強度を確保して断線を防げると共に、異常発熱等の電気的トラブルや損失・反射増加等の電気特性異常も防止でき、信頼性を高められる。
【００４１】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、引裂き紐で切裂き部を切裂いて容易に被覆を引裂いて心線を露出させられることにより、能率良く心線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで心線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、導体を傷付けずに済み、設置後の導体強度を確保して断線を防げる上、異常発熱等の電気的トラブルや損失増加等の電気特性異常も防止でき、信頼性を高められるという効果を奏する。
【００４２】
また、本発明によれば、被覆の切裂き部を他部分と同じ材料として被覆成形後、二次加工で強度的に劣る状態に変化させて切裂き部として設定することにより、当初の電線・ケーブル製造が従来同様の製造設備で行えることとなり、切裂き部を設けることに伴う製造コスト上昇分を必要最小限に抑えられるという効果を有する。
【００４３】
また、本発明によれば、被覆における切裂き部を他部分と別材料で形成し、他部分に対して切裂き部の強度、すなわち切裂き容易性を自由に設定できることにより、他部分に対し確実に強度的に劣った切裂き容易な性質を切裂き部に与えられることとなり、適切な強度とした切裂き部を引裂き紐で容易に切裂くことができ、心線を露出させる作業が速やかに行えるという効果を有する。
【００４４】
また、本発明によれば、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、引裂き紐で切裂き部を切裂いて容易に被覆を引裂いて光ファイバ線を露出させられることにより、能率良く光ファイバ線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで光ファイバ線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、光ファイバ線を傷付けずに済み、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷などが原因で起る設置後の断線を防止でき、通信の信頼性を高められるという効果を有する。
【００４５】
また、本発明によれば、被覆の切裂き部を他部分と同じ材料として被覆成形後、二次加工で強度的に劣る状態に変化させて切裂き部として設定することにより、当初のケーブル製造が従来同様の製造設備で行えることとなり、切裂き部を設けることに伴う製造コスト上昇分を必要最小限に抑えられるという効果を有する。
【００４６】
また、本発明によれば、被覆における切裂き部を他部分と別材料で形成し、他部分に対して切裂き部の強度、すなわち切裂き容易性を自由に設定できることにより、他部分に対し確実に強度的に劣った切裂き容易な性質を切裂き部に与えられることとなり、適切な強度とした切裂き部を引裂き紐で容易に切裂くことができ、光ファイバ線を露出させる作業が速やかに行えるという効果を有する。
【００４７】
また、本発明によれば、被覆における切裂き部を他部分とは別の色に色分けし、引裂き紐で被覆に対して力を加えて切裂く部分を視覚的に明確に示せることにより、誤って切裂き部以外の箇所に引裂き紐を向けることなく引裂き紐で切裂き部を確実に切裂いて容易に光ファイバ線を露出させることができ、作業能率がより一層向上するという効果を有する。
【００４８】
また、本発明によれば、被覆における切裂き部を二次加工に伴い変色させて加工と同時に他部分とは別の色に色分けし、引裂き紐で被覆に対して力を加えて切裂く部分を視覚的に明確に示せることにより、誤って切裂き部以外の箇所に引裂き紐を向けることなく引裂き紐で切裂き部を確実に切裂いて容易に光ファイバ線を露出させることができ、作業能率がより一層向上すると共に、着色等の特別な加工を施さずに切裂き部を識別可能とすることができ、切裂き部の色分けをほとんどコストを上昇させることなしに実現できるという効果を有する。
【００４９】
また、本発明によれば、被覆内面側に切裂き用溝を配設し、溝深さ方向を内面から外方に向けることにより、溝深さを深く設定しても製造時に心線への悪影響がなく、溝深さを深くして溝位置の被覆を薄くし、確実に手で被覆を引裂けるようにすることができ、切裂き用溝を起点に被覆を長手方向に引裂いて能率良く心線を露出させられ、心線接続作業を効率よく進められる。また、仮に手で引裂けず、刃物等の工具を用いて切裂き用溝位置の被覆を長手方向に切断する場合でも、切裂き用溝が被覆内面側に存在するため、溝位置の被覆と心線との間隔を空けて工具の心線への接触を防止でき、導体の傷付きを抑えられ、設置後の導体強度を確保して断線を防げる上、異常発熱等の電気的トラブルや損失増加等の電気特性異常も防止でき、信頼性を高められるという効果を有する。
【００５０】
また、本発明によれば、ケーブルの被覆内面側に切裂き用溝を配設し、溝深さ方向を内面から外方に向けることにより、溝深さを深く設定しても製造時に光ファイバ線への悪影響がなく、溝深さを深くして溝位置の被覆を薄くし、確実に手で被覆を引裂けるようにすることができ、切裂き用溝を起点に被覆を長手方向に引裂いて能率良く光ファイバ線を露出させられ、ケーブル接続作業を効率よく進められるという効果を有する。さらに、仮に手で引裂けず、刃物等の工具を用いて切裂き用溝位置の被覆を長手方向に切断する場合でも、切裂き用溝が被覆内面側に存在するため、溝位置の被覆と光ファイバ線との間隔を空けて工具の光ファイバ線への接触を防止でき、光ファイバ線の傷付きを抑えられ、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷が原因で起る設置後の断線を防ぎ、通信の信頼性を高められるという効果を有する。
【００５１】
また、本発明によれば、被覆における切裂き用溝外側部分を他部分と別の色に色分けし、被覆内面側に隠れる切裂き用溝の位置を視覚的に明確に示せることにより、工具使用時に、切裂き用溝位置に刃物等の工具を当てて被覆を長手方向に確実に切裂いて容易に光ファイバ線を露出させられ、誤って切裂き用溝以外の箇所に刃物等の工具を当てることを防止し、光ファイバ線を保護できると共に、作業能率をより一層向上させられるという効果を有する。
【００５２】
また、本発明によれば、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、切裂き部を起点に手で被覆を容易に引裂いて心線を露出させられることにより、能率良く心線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで心線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、導体を傷付けずに済み、設置後の導体強度を確保して断線を防げる上、異常発熱等の電気的トラブルや損失増加等の電気特性異常も防止でき、信頼性を高められるという効果を有する。
【００５３】
また、本発明によれば、被覆の一部に強度的に弱く裂けやすい性状の切裂き部を配設し、切裂き部を起点に手で被覆を容易に引裂いて光ファイバ線を露出させられることにより、能率良く光ファイバ線を露出させて接続作業が速やかに効率よく進められると共に、被覆の引裂きで光ファイバ線に対し工具を近接させることもなく、光ファイバ線を傷付けずに済み、設置後のファイバ強度を確保して傷などが原因で起る設置後の断線を防止でき、通信の信頼性を高められるという効果を有する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態に係る光ケーブルの断面図である。
【図２】本発明の第１の実施形態に係る他の光ケーブルの概略斜視図である。
【図３】本発明の第２の実施形態に係る光ケーブルの断面図である。
【図４】本発明の第２の実施形態に係る他の光ケーブルの概略斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１　　　　　　　光ケーブル
１０　　　　　　テンションメンバ
２０　　　　　　光ファイバ線
３０　　　　　　引裂き紐
４０　　　　　　被覆
４１　　　　　　切裂き部
４２　　　　　　切裂き用溝[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multi-core optical cable used for wiring between electric wires / cables and optical communication equipment, and in particular, is easy to handle and remove in coating (operation for removing a core wire) when connecting to each equipment. It relates to electric wires / cables and optical cables.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Electric wires and cables used for power supply and information communication generally have a structure in which one or more core wires are collectively covered with a resin material or the like. When connecting the electric wire or cable to various devices or attaching a connector for connection, it is necessary to remove the coating at the end and expose the inner core wire.
[0003]
In recent years, high-speed and broadband communication services have been expanding. However, optical cables that play a leading role in information transmission in such communication services generally include one or more optical fiber lines and tension members arranged in parallel, and a resin material or the like. It has a structure in which batch coating is applied. When connecting this optical cable to a communication device or attaching a connector for connection, it is necessary to remove the coating at the end of the cable and expose the internal optical fiber line.
[0004]
Conventionally, in order to expose an optical fiber wire, a method of cutting a coating using a tool such as a blade from an end of an optical cable to a position of a predetermined length, and separating the cut and spread coating is generally used. Was. In this case, there is a problem that the optical fiber line is damaged if the tool accidentally reaches the optical fiber line because the coating is torn in the longitudinal direction using the tool. For this reason, when the coating of the optical cable is torn, the work must be performed with great care so as not to damage the optical fiber wire by a tool, and the workability is not very good.
[0005]
In recent years, as an optical cable that can easily expose an optical fiber line, an optical cable with a tear string in which a tear string made of a high-strength synthetic fiber or the like is arranged along the optical fiber line and a coating is formed on the outer periphery thereof has been proposed. . Such an optical cable with a tear cord has a mechanism in which the optical fiber wire can be exposed without danger of being damaged by pulling the tear cord in a direction away from the end of the optical cable to the outside of the optical cable to tear the coating.
[0006]
Further, as another optical cable which can easily expose an optical fiber line, a cable provided with a plurality of slits continuous in the longitudinal direction on an outer surface of a coating has been proposed in recent years. When taking out the internal optical fiber line with such an optical cable with a slit for groove, open the coating around the position of the groove for the slit at the end of the cable and open the sheath between the tip of the groove for the slit and the optical fiber line. As the tearing progresses, the coating is removed and the optical fiber line is exposed.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional optical cable was configured as described above, when the former tear string is provided, depending on the material of the coating, the coating cannot be easily torn due to the tear resistance of the coating, and a large There was a problem that a tensile force had to be applied, and workability was not so much improved.
[0008]
On the other hand, in the case of the conventional optical cable, if the depth of the cleavage groove in the coating inner direction is increased, the optical fiber wire inside the coating may be damaged at the time of forming the groove. It is necessary to apply a large force when tearing the coating by hand, or do not tear with only hand force, insert a knife such as a cutter in the groove, cut once in the longitudinal direction, and then tear. There were situations that had to be done. For this reason, there is a problem that not only does not lead to much improvement in workability, but also there is a risk of damaging the internal optical fiber wire when making a cut in the groove with a blade.
[0009]
In addition, in conventional wires and cables, the coating is made of a durable material that does not easily break or peel off, and does not easily tear with human hands due to its high tensile strength and tear resistance. When the coating is removed, the use of a tool is indispensable, and the work efficiency is not good. In addition, there is a problem that the tool may reach the conductor of the core wire by mistake and the conductor may be damaged.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides an electric wire, a cable, and an optical cable which can easily tear a coating by hand and can be exposed to the outside without damaging a core wire or an optical fiber wire. With the goal.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An electric wire / cable according to the present invention is an electric wire / cable in which one or more core wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material, and is arranged in parallel with the core wire while being covered with the coating. A portion of the covering that is located outside the tearing string, has a strength that is weaker and easier to tear than other portions, and is torn by being pulled out of the covering outside the covering. It is supposed to be. As described above, in the present invention, a tear portion having a property of weakness and easy tearing is disposed in a part of the coating, and the tear is cut with a tear string to easily tear the coating and expose the core wire. By doing so, the core wire is exposed efficiently and the connection work can proceed promptly and efficiently, the tool does not come close to the core wire by tearing the sheath, the conductor is not damaged, and the conductor after installation is In addition to ensuring strength and preventing disconnection, electrical troubles such as abnormal heat generation and abnormal electrical characteristics such as loss increase can be prevented, and reliability can be improved.
[0012]
In addition, the wire / cable according to the present invention, if necessary, after the cut portion of the coating is formed by coating the same material as the other portion of the coating in the same manner as the other portion, only the portion corresponding to the cut portion is subjected to a predetermined process. It has been subjected to secondary processing and changed into a state inferior in strength. As described above, in the present invention, after forming the cut portion of the coating as the same material as the other portion and forming the cover, the strength of the cut portion is changed by the secondary processing to be inferior in strength, and the cut portion is set as the cut portion. The cable can be manufactured with the same manufacturing equipment as before, and the increase in manufacturing cost due to the provision of the cut portion can be minimized.
[0013]
Further, in the electric wire / cable according to the present invention, if necessary, the cut portion of the coating is formed of a material different from other portions of the coating and having a property inferior in strength to other portions. As described above, in the present invention, the tear portion in the coating is formed of a different material from the other portion, and the strength of the tear portion, that is, the ease of tearing can be freely set for the other portion, so that the other portion can be easily removed. The torn portion is surely given an inferior strength that is easy to tear, so that the torn portion with appropriate strength can be easily torn with a tear string, and the work to expose the core wire is quick. Can be done.
[0014]
Also, the optical cable according to the present invention is an optical cable in which a plurality of optical fiber lines are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material, wherein the tear is disposed in parallel with the optical fiber line while being covered with the coating. A portion provided with a string, the portion of the coating located on the outside of the tear string has a property that it is weaker and easier to tear than other portions, and a tear portion that is torn by pulling the tear string to the outside of the coating. It is. As described above, in the present invention, a part of the coating is provided with a tear portion having a property of being weak and easily torn, and the optical fiber line is exposed by tearing the tear portion with a tear string to easily tear the coating. By exposing the optical fiber line efficiently, the connection work can proceed promptly and efficiently, and without tearing the coating, the tool does not come close to the optical fiber line, and the optical fiber line is not damaged. In addition, it is possible to secure the fiber strength after installation and prevent disconnection after installation due to scratches and the like, thereby improving the reliability of communication.
[0015]
Further, the optical cable according to the present invention, if necessary, after the cut portion of the coating is formed by coating the same material as the other portion of the coating in the same manner as the other portion, only a predetermined secondary portion of the portion corresponding to the cut portion is formed. It has been processed and changed to a state inferior in strength. As described above, in the present invention, the initial cable manufacturing is performed by changing the cut portion of the coating to the same material as the other portion, forming the coating, and then changing the state to a state inferior in strength by the secondary processing and setting the cut portion. Can be performed with the same manufacturing equipment as before, and the increase in manufacturing cost due to the provision of the tearing portion can be minimized.
[0016]
Further, in the optical cable according to the present invention, if necessary, the cut portion of the coating is formed of a material different from other portions of the coating and having a property lower in strength than the other portions. As described above, in the present invention, the tear portion in the coating is formed of a different material from the other portion, and the strength of the tear portion, that is, the ease of tearing can be freely set for the other portion, so that the other portion can be easily removed. This ensures that the incised portion is inferior in strength and easy to tear, so that the torn portion with appropriate strength can be easily torn with a tear string, and the work of exposing the optical fiber wire becomes difficult. Can be done quickly.
[0017]
Further, in the optical cable according to the present invention, the cut portion of the coating is color-coded differently from other portions of the coating, if necessary. As described above, in the present invention, the tearing part in the coating is colored in a different color from the other parts, and a force is applied to the coating with a tearing string to visually indicate the part to be cut, thereby making it possible to mistakenly display the part. Thus, the tearing string can be reliably torn at the tearing portion without directing the tearing string to a portion other than the tearing portion, so that the optical fiber line can be easily exposed, and the working efficiency is further improved.
[0018]
Further, in the optical cable according to the present invention, if necessary, the cut portion of the coating undergoes the secondary processing and changes color from the same color as the other portion to become a color that can be distinguished from the other portion. . As described above, in the present invention, a portion to be cut by applying a force to the coating with a tear string by discoloring the cut portion in the coating along with the secondary processing and simultaneously coloring the coating with a different color from the other portion at the same time as the processing. Can clearly and visually show the optical fiber line by easily tearing the tearing part with the tearing string without accidentally pointing the tearing string to a place other than the tearing part. The efficiency can be further improved, and the cut portion can be identified without performing special processing such as coloring, and the coloration of the cut portion can be realized with almost no increase in cost.
[0019]
Further, the electric wire / cable according to the present invention is an electric wire / cable in which one or more core wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material, wherein the coating has a longitudinal direction on an inner surface facing the core wire. And one or more continuous slitting grooves. As described above, in the present invention, a groove for tearing is disposed on the inner surface side of the coating, and the groove depth direction is directed outward from the inner surface. There is no adverse effect, the groove depth is deepened, the coating at the groove position is thinned, the coating can be reliably torn by hand, and the coating is torn in the longitudinal direction starting from the slit for cutting efficiently The core is exposed, and the core connection work can be efficiently performed. Furthermore, even if the coating at the groove position for cutting is cut in the longitudinal direction using a tool such as a blade without tearing by hand, since the groove for cutting exists on the inner surface side of the coating, the coating at the groove position is Spacing between the conductor and core prevents the tool from contacting the conductor, prevents conductor damage, ensures conductor strength after installation, prevents disconnection, and causes electrical trouble and loss such as abnormal heating. Abnormality of electrical characteristics such as increase can be prevented, and reliability can be improved.
[0020]
Further, an optical cable according to the present invention is an optical cable in which a plurality of optical fiber lines are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material, wherein the coating is continuous with an inner surface facing the optical fiber line in a longitudinal direction. Or it may be provided with a plurality of tearing grooves. As described above, in the present invention, by providing a tearing groove on the inner surface side of the coating of the cable and directing the groove depth direction from the inner surface to the outer side, even when the groove depth is set to be deep, the optical fiber can be manufactured at the time of manufacturing. There is no adverse effect on the line, the groove depth is increased, the coating at the groove position is thinned, the coating can be reliably torn by hand, and the coating is torn in the longitudinal direction starting from the slit for slitting The optical fiber line can be exposed efficiently and the cable connection work can be efficiently performed. Furthermore, even if the coating at the groove position for cutting is cut in the longitudinal direction using a tool such as a blade without tearing by hand, since the groove for cutting exists on the inner surface side of the coating, the coating at the groove position is Spacing the optical fiber line prevents the tool from contacting the optical fiber line, reduces damage to the optical fiber line, ensures fiber strength after installation, and breaks after installation due to scratches. Can be prevented and communication reliability can be improved.
[0021]
In the optical cable according to the present invention, a portion of the outer surface of the coating, which is located outside the tearing groove, is color-coded differently from other portions of the outer surface of the coating, if necessary. As described above, in the present invention, the outer portion of the tear groove in the coating is colored differently from the other portions in a different color, and the position of the tear groove hidden on the inner surface side of the coating can be visually clearly indicated, so that the tool can be used. Occasionally, a tool such as a blade is applied to the position of the cutting groove to reliably cut the coating in the longitudinal direction, easily exposing the optical fiber wire, and accidentally placing the tool such as a tool at a location other than the cutting groove. It is possible to protect the optical fiber line from being hit, and to further improve the work efficiency.
[0022]
Further, the electric wire / cable according to the present invention is an electric wire / cable in which one or a plurality of core wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material, wherein the coating cuts a predetermined portion continuous in a longitudinal direction. The part has a property that it is weaker in strength than the other part and is easily torn. As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to dispose a tearing portion having a property that the strength is weak and easy to tear in a part of the coating, and easily tear the coating by hand starting from the tearing portion to expose the core wire. By exposing the core wire efficiently, the connection work can be promptly and efficiently proceeded, the tool does not come close to the core wire by tearing the sheath, the conductor is not damaged, and the conductor strength after installation is reduced. In addition to securing the wire breakage, electrical troubles such as abnormal heat generation and abnormal electrical characteristics such as increased loss can be prevented, and reliability can be improved.
[0023]
Further, the optical cable according to the present invention is an optical cable in which a plurality of optical fiber wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material. It is made to be weak in strength and easy to tear. As described above, in the present invention, a tear portion having a property of weakness and easy tearing is disposed in a part of the coating, and the optical fiber line can be exposed by easily tearing the coating by hand starting from the tear portion. By exposing the optical fiber line efficiently, the connection work can proceed promptly and efficiently, and without tearing the coating, the tool does not come close to the optical fiber line, and the optical fiber line is not damaged and installed. By securing the fiber strength later, disconnection after installation due to scratches or the like can be prevented, and the reliability of communication can be improved.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(First embodiment of the present invention)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, an example of an optical cable will be described. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the optical cable according to the present embodiment.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, the optical cable 1 according to the present embodiment includes a tension member 10 formed of a high-strength linear body to give a predetermined rigidity to the entire cable, a plurality of optical fiber lines 20 for signal transmission, The structure includes a tear string 30 arranged in parallel with the member 10 and the optical fiber line 20, and a coating 40 covering the optical fiber line 20 together with the tear string 30.
[0026]
The optical fiber line 20 is configured to be accommodated in the coating 40 in a state where a plurality of the optical fiber lines 20 are arranged concentrically around the tension member 10. The optical cable 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to a round shape in which the optical fiber wires 20 are arranged concentrically, but may be formed in a flat shape in which a plurality of optical fiber wires 20 are arranged side by side around the tension member 10. It can also be. Further, the number of cores is not limited to eight, and a configuration may be employed in which a predetermined number of optical fiber lines 20 required as appropriate are used.
[0027]
The tear cord 30 is formed of a cord made of aramid fiber having excellent tensile strength, and is configured to be accommodated in the coating 40 together with the plurality of optical fiber wires 20. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the tear string 30 is housed in a state in which the tear string 30 comes into close contact with the optical fiber line 20 and completely separates from the inside of the coating 40. It may be partially or completely buried inside.
[0028]
The covering 40 is mostly formed of an insulating material such as flame-retardant polyethylene or PVC, and a portion located outside the tear cord 30 is a cut portion 41 which is made of a different material from other portions and is made of a different material. It is made of a material having a property of inferior strength such as softness and brittleness, and has a structure in which the tearing portion 41 having the property of being weak and easily torn in strength is made to be a portion to be torn when the tearing string 30 is pulled out to the outside. is there. When the main material of the coating 40 is PE, the cut portion 41 is PE + filler (filler), PVC, PVC + filler, a mixture of different degrees of polymerization PVC, EEA, EEA + filler, or EVA. When the main material of the coating 40 is PVC, the cut portion 41 is made of PVC + filler, a mixture of different degrees of polymerization PVC, PE, PE + filler, EEA, EEA + filler, or EVA.
[0029]
Next, a description will be given of the sheath tearing and core wire exposing step of the optical cable according to the present embodiment. It is assumed that the cable end is processed in advance, and the tear string 30 is exposed from the end of the predetermined length. First, the tear string 30 appearing at the end of the cable is pulled in a direction away from the coating 40 at a position where the tear part 41 is present, and the tear part 41 integrated with the coating 40 is longitudinally pulled by the tear string 30. Then, the sheath 40 is torn until the optical fiber wire 20 is exposed by a length sufficient for the connection operation. There is almost no adverse effect such as damage to the optical fiber line 20 due to the tearing of the coating 40 using the tear string 30. Spreading the torn coating 40 can expose the optical fiber line 20. Thereafter, the spread coating 40 is cut off, and the operation is completed when the optical fiber line 20 is connected to the optical fiber line or the connector of another cable.
[0030]
As described above, in the optical cable according to the present embodiment, the tearing portion 41 made of dissimilar material having inferior strength is integrally provided on the coating 40, and the tearing string 30 cuts the tearing portion 41 to easily cover the coating 40. And the optical fiber line 20 is exposed, so that the optical fiber line 20 is efficiently exposed and the connecting operation can be performed quickly and efficiently, and the tool comes close to the optical fiber line 20 by tearing the coating 40. In addition, the optical fiber line 20 can be prevented from being damaged, the fiber strength after installation can be secured, and disconnection after installation due to damage or the like can be prevented, and the reliability of communication can be improved.
[0031]
In addition, in the optical cable according to the embodiment, the coating 40 is configured to be integrally formed by making the material different between the cut portion 41 and other portions, but in addition to this, as shown in FIG. A configuration in which the cut portion 41 of the coating 40 is color-coded with other portions can also be adopted, so that the position of the cut portion 41 in the coating 40 can be easily identified, and when the optical fiber line 20 is taken out, the tear string 30 is used. It is possible to reliably apply a force to the position of the tearing portion 41 and to tear it, and without tearing the other portion of the coating 40 with the tearing string 30 and applying unnecessary force, the tearing of the coating 40 is prevented. The work leading to wire extraction can be advanced efficiently.
[0032]
In addition, in the optical cable according to the embodiment, the coating 40 is formed by using different materials for the cut portion 41 and the other portions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coating 40 is entirely coated with the same material. After molding, only the location of the tearing portion 41 may be subjected to secondary processing to a state inferior in strength by a method such as ultraviolet irradiation, heating, or the like, and may be changed to a state in which it is more easily torn than the other part of the coating 40. The cost reduction can be achieved without the necessity of performing a treatment for integrating different kinds of materials that can increase the manufacturing cost by being formed of the material. In this case, examples of the material of the coating 40 include materials that are easily deteriorated by irradiation with ultraviolet light, such as PP or PE. Further, the material of the coating 40 is appropriately selected, and through a secondary processing for generating the cut portion 41, the processed portion (the cut portion 41) of the coating 40 changes its color from the original color and is distinguished from other portions. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that allows the tearing part 41 to be clearly and visually shown, so that the tearing string 30 can be used to tear the tearing part 41 without turning the tearing string 30 to a place other than the tearing part 41 by mistake. The tearing can be surely performed, the working efficiency can be further improved, and the tearing portion 41 can be identified without performing special processing such as adding a coloring agent.
[0033]
Furthermore, in the optical cable according to the embodiment, the tear string 30 is provided in the coating 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same tear portion 41 is provided on a part of the coating 40 without providing the tear string. Since the optical fiber line 20 can be exposed by easily tearing the coating 40 by hand starting from the tearing portion 41 having a property of being weak and easily ruptured in the same manner as the above embodiment, The operation from the exposure to the connection of the optical fiber line to the connection can be performed quickly and efficiently, and the optical fiber line 20 can be prevented from being damaged by a tool or the like, and the reliability can be improved.
[0034]
(Second embodiment of the present invention)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, an example of an optical cable will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the optical cable according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 3, the optical cable 1 according to the present embodiment includes the tension member 10, the optical fiber line 20, and the coating 40, as in the first embodiment, but differs from the optical cable 1 in that the tearing cord is not provided and the coating is not provided. A plurality of slit grooves 42 that are continuous in the longitudinal direction are provided on the inner surface side of the groove 40.
[0035]
The coating 40 is made of an insulating material such as flame-retardant polyethylene, and has a structure in which the slits 42 are formed at two locations where the inner surface is symmetrical with the tension member 10 and the optical fiber line 20 covered. The outer portions of the two cut grooves 42 in the coating 40 are torn portions when the coating 40 is torn apart. The number of the cut grooves 42 in the coating 40 is not limited to two, and one, three or more of the cut grooves 42 may be provided on the inner surface side of the coating 40.
[0036]
Next, a description will be given of the sheath tearing and core wire exposing step of the optical cable according to the present embodiment. First, the ends of the cable sheath 40 are pulled away from each other about the tearing groove 42, and the optical fiber wire 20 can sufficiently connect the sheath 40 while tearing the sheath 40 outside the tearing groove 42. Tearing in two until the length is exposed. Since the tearing proceeds at the position of the tearing groove 42 of the coating 40 only by hand force, there is almost no adverse effect such as damage to the optical fiber line 20. When the coating 40 is torn to separate the coating 40 and the optical fiber line 20 for a length sufficient for the connection work, the separated coating 40 is cut off, and the exposed optical fiber line 20 and the optical fiber line in another cable are separated. When the connection with the connector is completed, the work is completed.
[0037]
Even when a tool such as a cutter is used for tearing the coating 40 in the longitudinal direction for some reason, the cutting groove 42 is present on the inner surface side of the coating 40 and the coating 40 is located on the outermost periphery, and the coating 40 and the optical fiber The distance from the wire 20 is ensured, and even if the coating 40 outside the tearing groove 42 is cut by the tool, the contact between the optical fiber wire 20 and the tool is prevented, and the optical fiber wire 20 is not damaged. The optical fiber line 20 is exposed by cutting the coating 40 in the longitudinal direction.
[0038]
As described above, in the optical cable according to the present embodiment, since the tearing groove 42 is provided on the inner surface side of the coating 40 and the groove depth direction is directed outward from the inner surface, even if the groove depth is set deeper. There is no adverse effect on the optical fiber line 20 at the time of manufacture, and the coating at the groove position can be made thinner by increasing the groove depth, and the coating 40 can be reliably torn by hand. The optical fiber line 20 is efficiently exposed by tearing the coating 40 in the longitudinal direction, and the cable connection operation can be efficiently performed. Also, even if the coating 40 at the position of the cutting groove 42 is cut in the longitudinal direction using a tool such as a blade without tearing by hand, since the cutting groove 42 exists on the inner surface side of the coating 40, The space between the coating 40 and the optical fiber line 20 can be spaced to prevent the tool from contacting the optical fiber line 20, the damage of the optical fiber line 20 can be suppressed, the fiber strength after installation can be secured, and the Disconnection after installation due to the cause can be prevented, and communication reliability can be improved.
[0039]
In addition, in the optical cable according to the above-described embodiment, the coating 40 has a general appearance except that the slit 42 is provided on the inner surface side of the coating 40. In addition, as shown in FIG. In addition, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the portion just outside the tearing groove 42 in the coating 40 is color-coded with the other portion, and the position of the tearing groove 42 in the coating 40 can be easily identified. When a tool such as a cutting tool is used, the optical fiber wire 20 can be easily exposed by applying a tool to the position of the tearing groove 42 to surely tear the coating 40 in the longitudinal direction. It is possible to prevent a tool such as a blade from being applied to a portion other than the above, thereby protecting the optical fiber line 20 and efficiently proceeding from the tearing of the coating 40 to the removal of the core wire.
[0040]
Further, in each of the first and second embodiments, an example of application to an optical cable is described. However, the present invention is not limited to an optical cable, but is applied to an electric wire or cable using a conductor core wire instead of the optical fiber line 20. It doesn't matter. In such wires / cables, when a tear string is arranged in parallel with the core wire and a tear part with a weak and easy to tear property is provided on the outer coating, the tear part is used to tear the tear part. The sheath can be easily and easily torn to expose the core wire, so that the core wire can be efficiently exposed and the connection operation can be promptly and efficiently performed. In addition, when a slit is provided on the inner surface of the coating, the coating on the groove can be made thinner to ensure that the coating can be torn by hand. The core wire can be exposed efficiently by tearing. In any of the above cases, since the core wire is not damaged, the conductor strength after installation can be secured to prevent disconnection, and at the same time, electrical trouble such as abnormal heat generation and abnormal electrical characteristics such as loss / reflection increase can be prevented. And increase reliability.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a part of the coating is provided with a tearing portion having a property of being weak and easily torn in strength, tearing the tearing portion with a tear string, easily tearing the coating, and forming a core wire. By being exposed, the core wire is exposed efficiently and the connection work can proceed promptly and efficiently, and without tearing the sheath, the tool does not come close to the core wire, it does not damage the conductor, and after installation In addition, the conductor strength can be secured to prevent disconnection, electrical troubles such as abnormal heat generation, and abnormalities in electric characteristics such as loss increase can be prevented, thereby improving reliability.
[0042]
Further, according to the present invention, after forming the cut portion of the coating as the same material as the other portion, forming the cut portion by changing to a state inferior in strength in the secondary processing after forming the coating, The cable can be manufactured with the same manufacturing equipment as the conventional one, and the effect that the increase in the manufacturing cost due to the provision of the tearing portion can be suppressed to a necessary minimum.
[0043]
Further, according to the present invention, the cut portion in the coating is formed of a different material from the other portion, and the strength of the cut portion with respect to the other portion, that is, the easiness of tearing can be freely set. The torn portion is surely given an inferior strength that is easy to tear, so that the torn portion with appropriate strength can be easily torn with a tear string, and the work to expose the core wire is quick. It has the effect that it can be performed.
[0044]
Further, according to the present invention, a tear portion having a property of weakness and easy tearing is provided in a part of the coating, and the optical fiber wire is exposed by tearing the tear portion with a tear string to easily tear the coating. By exposing the optical fiber line efficiently, the connection work can proceed promptly and efficiently, and without tearing the coating, the tool does not come close to the optical fiber line, and the optical fiber line is not damaged. In addition, the fiber strength after installation can be ensured to prevent disconnection after installation due to scratches and the like, and there is an effect that the reliability of communication can be improved.
[0045]
Further, according to the present invention, after forming the cut portion of the coating as the same material as the other portion, and then forming the cut portion by changing the state to be inferior in strength by secondary processing, the initial cable production is performed. Can be performed with the same manufacturing equipment as before, and the effect that the increase in the manufacturing cost due to the provision of the tearing portion can be minimized.
[0046]
Further, according to the present invention, the cut portion in the coating is formed of a different material from the other portion, and the strength of the cut portion with respect to the other portion, that is, the easiness of tearing can be freely set. This ensures that the incised portion is inferior in strength and easy to tear, so that the torn portion with appropriate strength can be easily torn with a tear string, and the work of exposing the optical fiber wire becomes difficult. It has the effect that it can be performed quickly.
[0047]
Further, according to the present invention, the cut portion in the coating is colored in a different color from the other portions, and the portion to be cut by applying force to the coating with a tearing string can be visually and clearly shown, so that mistakes can be made. Therefore, the tearing cord can be reliably torn at the tearing portion without directing the tearing string to a portion other than the tearing portion, so that the optical fiber line can be easily exposed, and the working efficiency is further improved.
[0048]
Further, according to the present invention, a portion to be cut by applying a force to the coating with a tear string by discoloring the cut portion in the coating along with the secondary processing and simultaneously coloring the coating with a different color from the other portion at the same time as the processing. Can clearly and visually show the optical fiber line by easily tearing the tearing part with the tearing string without accidentally pointing the tearing string to a place other than the tearing part. Efficiency is further improved, and the cut portion can be identified without performing special processing such as coloring, and the effect of being able to realize color coding of the cut portion with almost no increase in cost. .
[0049]
Further, according to the present invention, by disposing a tearing groove on the inner surface side of the coating and directing the groove depth direction outward from the inner surface, even if the groove depth is set to be deep, it is difficult to attach the core to the core wire at the time of manufacturing. There is no adverse effect, the groove depth is deepened, the coating at the groove position is thinned, the coating can be reliably torn by hand, and the coating is torn in the longitudinal direction starting from the slit for cutting efficiently The core is exposed, and the core connection work can be efficiently performed. Even if the coating at the groove position for cutting is cut in the longitudinal direction using a tool such as a blade without tearing by hand, since the groove for cutting exists on the inner surface side of the coating, the coating at the groove position is Spacing between the conductor and core prevents the tool from contacting the conductor, prevents conductor damage, ensures conductor strength after installation, prevents disconnection, and causes electrical trouble and loss such as abnormal heating. It is also possible to prevent an increase in electrical characteristics such as an increase and to improve reliability.
[0050]
Further, according to the present invention, by providing a groove for tearing on the inner surface side of the coating of the cable and directing the groove depth direction from the inner surface to the outer side, even if the groove depth is set to be deep, the optical fiber can be manufactured at the time of manufacturing. There is no adverse effect on the line, the groove depth is increased, the coating at the groove position is thinned, the coating can be reliably torn by hand, and the coating is torn in the longitudinal direction starting from the slit for slitting Thus, the optical fiber line can be efficiently exposed, and the cable connection operation can be efficiently performed. Furthermore, even if the coating at the groove position for cutting is cut in the longitudinal direction using a tool such as a blade without tearing by hand, since the groove for cutting exists on the inner surface side of the coating, the coating at the groove position is Spacing the optical fiber line prevents the tool from contacting the optical fiber line, reduces damage to the optical fiber line, ensures fiber strength after installation, and breaks after installation due to scratches. And the communication reliability can be improved.
[0051]
Further, according to the present invention, the outer portion of the tearing groove in the coating is color-coded differently from the other portions, and the position of the tearing groove hidden on the inner surface side of the coating can be visually clearly indicated, so that the tool can be used. Occasionally, a tool such as a blade is applied to the position of the cutting groove to reliably cut the coating in the longitudinal direction, easily exposing the optical fiber wire, and accidentally placing the tool such as a tool at a location other than the cutting groove. It is possible to prevent the optical fiber from being hit and protect the optical fiber line, and it is possible to further improve the working efficiency.
[0052]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to dispose a tear portion having a property that the strength is weak and easy to tear in a part of the coating, and to easily tear the coating by hand starting from the tear portion to expose the core wire. By exposing the core wire efficiently, the connection work can be promptly and efficiently proceeded, the tool does not come close to the core wire by tearing the sheath, the conductor is not damaged, and the conductor strength after installation is reduced. In addition to preventing the occurrence of disconnection by securing, it is possible to prevent electrical troubles such as abnormal heat generation and abnormalities in electrical characteristics such as an increase in loss, thereby improving reliability.
[0053]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to dispose a tear portion having a property that the strength is weak and easy to tear in a part of the coating, and to easily tear the coating by hand starting from the tear portion to expose the optical fiber line. By exposing the optical fiber line efficiently, the connection work can proceed promptly and efficiently, and without tearing the coating, the tool does not come close to the optical fiber line, and the optical fiber line is not damaged and installed. It is possible to secure the strength of the fiber afterwards and to prevent disconnection after installation due to a scratch or the like, thereby improving communication reliability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an optical cable according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of another optical cable according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an optical cable according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of another optical cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Optical cable
10 tension member
20 Optical fiber line
30 Tearing String
40 coating
41 Slit
42 Groove for tearing

Claims

In an electric wire or cable in which one or a plurality of core wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material,
A tear string disposed in parallel with the core wire while being covered by the covering,
The portion of the coating located outside the tearstring is weaker in strength than the other portions and is more likely to be torn, and the tearstring is torn by being pulled out of the coating to the outside of the coating. Characteristic wires and cables.

The electric wire / cable according to claim 1,
After the cut portion of the coating is formed by coating the same material as the other portion of the coating in the same manner as the other portion, a predetermined secondary processing is applied only to the portion corresponding to the cut portion to change to a state inferior in strength. Wires and cables characterized by being obtained.

The electric wire / cable according to claim 1,
The electric wire / cable according to claim 1, wherein the cut portion of the coating is formed of a material different from other portions of the coating and having properties lower in strength than the other portions.

In an optical cable in which a plurality of optical fiber wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material,
A tear string disposed in parallel with the optical fiber line while being covered by the coating,
The portion of the coating located outside the tearstring is weaker in strength than the other portions and is more likely to be torn, and the tearstring is torn by being pulled out of the coating to the outside of the coating. Characteristic optical cable.

The optical cable according to claim 4,
After the cut portion of the coating is formed by coating the same material as the other portion of the coating in the same manner as the other portion, a predetermined secondary processing is applied only to the portion corresponding to the cut portion to change to a state inferior in strength. An optical cable, comprising:

The optical cable according to claim 4,
An optical cable, characterized in that the cut portion of the coating is formed of a material different from other portions of the coating and having properties lower in strength than the other portions.

The optical cable according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
An optical cable, wherein the cut portion of the coating is colored differently from the other portions of the coating.

The optical cable according to claim 5,
An optical cable, wherein the cut portion of the coating undergoes the secondary processing and changes color from the same color as another portion to become a color identifiable to the other portion.

In an electric wire or cable in which one or a plurality of core wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material,
An electric wire or cable, wherein the coating is provided with one or more longitudinally continuous slitting grooves on an inner surface facing the core wire.

In an optical cable in which a plurality of optical fiber wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material,
An optical cable, characterized in that said coating is provided with one or more longitudinally continuous slitting grooves on an inner surface facing said optical fiber line.

The optical cable according to claim 10,
An optical cable, wherein a portion of the outer coating surface located outside the tearing groove is colored differently from other portions of the outer coating surface.

In an electric wire or cable in which one or a plurality of core wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material,
The electric wire / cable, wherein the coating has a property in which a predetermined portion continuous in the longitudinal direction is used as a cut portion to be weaker and easier to tear than other portions.

In an optical cable in which a plurality of optical fiber wires are integrated while being covered with a coating of an insulating material,
An optical cable, characterized in that the coating has a property that a predetermined portion continuous in the longitudinal direction is a tear portion and is weaker and stronger than other portions.